Cape Verde Qualify
A Tiny nation off the coast of West Africa, a beautiful archipelago, Cape Verde, with a population of a bit over 5 lacs, has achieved what several countries dream of. The Blue Sharks, as the Cape Verde Football Team is known, have qualified for the FIFA World Cup next year to be played in the USA, Canada and Mexico, for the very first time.
A former Portuguese colony, Cape Verde got its independence from Portugal in 1975 and since then has been developing into a stable democratic economy. However, to excel in football was a far-fetched dream, but the big-hearted Cape Verdeans persevered, never letting go of their ambition.
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With a massive diaspora in the US and Portugal having migrated years ago, help and support were always coming. In 2014, Cape Verde opened their international football stadium at Praia, the capital and Cape Verde’s largest city.
Last night, the Blue Sharks, playing at home at their National Stadium, got the better of Eswatini, winning comfortably with a 3-0 margin and confirming their trip to the USA next year.
An Audacious Campaign
The goalless first half raised concerns as a restive crowd of 15000, packed to the rafters, began to push their team. The Blue Sharks responded as the deadlock was broken by Dailon Livramento in the 48th minute. Six minutes later Wily Semedo made it 2 for Cape Verde, which eventually settled coach Bubista’s jangling nerves. Finally, Cape Verdean veteran, 37-year-old Stopira scored in stoppage time to complete an audacious victory for the Blue Sharks, sending the crowd into a joyous, raucous frenzy.
A Dream Realised
The dream had been realised. Years and years of hard work and unflinching focus eventually bore fruit. The talent was there, but it needed to be harnessed and chiselled. With none of the players competing in the top leagues of the world, the qualification was certainly a staggering achievement.
Cape Verde’s performance denied African giants Cameroon an automatic qualification, who will be required to play the Intercontinental play-offs to secure a place in the World Cup.
Cape Verde’s success is a great story of grit, determination, focus and valour.
What more does one need for motivation and inspiration in life? Just have a look at the Blue Sharks.
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